Can Tai Chi/Qigong mind-body movement therapy combat diabetes and central obesity - promising findings from recent clinical trials — ASN Events
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Can Tai Chi/Qigong mind-body movement therapy combat diabetes and central obesity - promising findings from recent clinical trials (#111)

Xin Liu 1 2 , Yvette Miller 3 , Nicola Burton 1 , Wendy Brown 1
  1. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  2. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Introduction: There is growing evidence to suggest that Tai Chi/Qigong mind-body movement therapy may improve glucose control in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Tai Chi/Qigong on indicators of glucose control and central obesity in adults with prediabetes or diabetes.
Methodology: A single-group pre-post study was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention program, followed by a randomized controlled trial. The randomized controlled trial involved participants with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes recruited from the local community. Forty-one participants were randomly allocated to an intervention (n=20) or usual medical care control group (n=21). Intervention group participants attended a 12-week Tai Chi/Qigong training program. Indicators of diabetes and obesity control (BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, triglycerides, HDL-C) were assessed immediately prior to and after the intervention.
Results: Linear regression analyses showed there were significant improvements in BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p < 0.05) and insulin resistance (p < 0.01) in the intervention group, compared with the control group. There was also a significant improvement in fasting blood glucose (p < 0.01) and a trend towards a significant improvement in triglycerides (p = 0.090) in the intervention group, but not in the control group.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that this Tai Chi/Qigong based program improved the indicators of diabetes and obesity control including BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c and insulin resistance in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.